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Monday, April 24, 2017

Medical bulletin

OK, since I cannot answer so many phone calls, whatsapp messages and emails, here's a post about my father's condition: he had been growing steadily weaker over the last couple of months, until he lost the use of his right hand, then he fell down in the bathroom at dawn on the Bengali New Year's day (Saturday April 15), and had to be bodily lifted and hospitalized. A CT scan followed by an MRI revealed a suspicious looking growth in the brain, but the neurosurgeon said he strongly suspected lung cancer which had metastasized to various organs. He has been transferred to a major facility in Kolkata where the oncologist - a dear old boy and close to the whole family - has just begun radiotherapy, not wishing to wait for the biopsy report. He is nearly 79, so wish him luck, if not for a quick recovery then at least a relatively quiet and painless passage. I wouldn't ask for more for myself.

I shall post updates here from time to time.

Update 1, May 05: He is back today in Durgapur after radiotherapy, which the doctor says seems to have shown encouraging results. He will be staying at home for a month, regaining a bit of his strength - right now he is virtually bedridden - then it will be back in Kolkata for the first dose of chemotherapy: the doctor will continue only if he can take it. So now my house will become in some ways a nursing home apart from a little school. I'd like everyone concerned to cooperate in every possible way.

Update 2, July 03: We tried a mild dose of chemotherapy at a local hospital - moving him to and from Kolkata having been decided to be too much of a strain for him - last month, and it did no good. Now he is almost totally incapacitated, and has to be nursed night and day. He is sleeping or dozing virtually all the time, become almost inarticulate, and developing bedsores. Nothing left but prayers. No one who hasn't been through this should open his mouth about life, and karma, and the miraculous advancements of science, and stupid stuff like that...

19 comments:

Joydeep said...

Dear Sir,

I am extremely sorry to hear about this. I have been dealing with my father's leukemia diagnosis for the past 2 years and I know how difficult it can be, not only for the patient but also for the family. Please be strong and hope for the best- that's the only thing we can do at times such as these. I will pray for his recovery.

Regards,
Joydeep

Rajdeep said...

Praying. Take care.

Suvro Chatterjee said...

Thank you, both. Prayers help.

Subhasis said...

Dear Sir,
I wish you a lot of strength in these times.
My prayers for your father.
Regards,
Subhasis

Ankan said...

Dear Sir,

I am generally infrequent to your blogpost of late, but this post definitely warrants comments from my side. I am really sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. It's difficult for me to imagine how someone would possibly cope with such news, but it also jars us into reckoning the inevitable.
I am not much of a praying person, but I wish the best for your father and hope things turn out for the best post radiotherapy. I also hope all of you find the strength to endure these trying times.

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

Regards,
Ankan

Soham Mukhopadhyay said...

Dear Sir,

I'm deeply saddened to read about the recent condition of your father's health. I hope you find the strength to deal with these times and your father recover in time. My prayers for your father and whole family. Take care Sir.

with warm regards,
Soham

Abhishek Das said...

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to hear about the condition of your father. I will pray that he recovers soon and hope that you and your family have the strength to tide over these times.

Kind regards,
Abhishek Das

Lavona said...

Dearest Suvro, I am SO sorry to hear this news. Having been a survivor of lung cancer, I can attest to the fact that it is a cold, heartless disease and plays no favorites. My heart goes out to him and to you and all those who love and care for him. I will add him to my prayers for comfort and peace as he faces this daunting challenge. When is his birthday? We are about the same age, actually. I will be 79 in June. I also pray for you and your circumstances. You were and always will be one of my personal favorites. You are SO special. Love, Lavona

Siddhartha Pal said...

Sir, i pray to god so that your father will recover and again stand on his foot. Sir take care

with regards
SIDDHARTHA PAL

Ritambhar said...

Dear Sir,

So sorry to hear this. I do hope and pray that he recovers quickly and that God give strength and resolve to the whole family to overcome this rough patch. Am suffering myself with my wife having to go thru surgery and a long road to recovery, can fully empathise with your situation.

Regards,
Ritambhar (ICSE'97)

Navin said...

Dear Sir,

I pray for his health and wellbeing. I am sure things will get better with treatment.
Please let us know if we can of any use.

Regards,

Navin

Suvro Chatterjee said...

Thanks, all who have sent in words of courage and comfort. Lavona, my dad was born on 15th December 1938. Ritambhar, my earnest prayers and blessings for your wife. Navin, I shall be ever grateful for the kindness.

Sir

Unknown said...

Sir,
I'm deeply saddened on reading about this incident. I still remember the days when you used to narrate to us your fond memories with your father. I convey my sincerest prayers for your father's speedy recovery.

Regards
Soumallya Chattopadhyay

Sayan Roy said...

Dear sir,
I sincerely pray that your father survives this painful period with minimal agony.

I had experienced the phase of "nursing home in my house" for many long months when my grandmother was left in a permanent vegetative state. Though it was due to a completely different cause (severe cerebral stroke), still I understand the daily challenges that a householder faces during that time. I pray for your safety and health too.

Regards,
Sayan Roy.

Suvro Chatterjee said...

Sayan,

Thank you for writing in. It is only those who have suffered similarly who understand what it means. But then, so many people have seen suffering! It's only responses like yours which tell me who really care. Given the kind of caring I have given to so many for so long, there should have been hundreds of comments like yours here. Nothing teaches me more about humankind than interactions like these - and the lack of them.

God bless you.

Sir

Saikat Chakraborty said...

Dear Sir,

I am happy to know that the radiotherapy results are encouraging and hope things turn for the better. I wish I could be of any help in person; as of now, my prayers are always with you and your family. Take care Sir.

With regards,
Saikat.

Rajdeep said...

Saw your update. My prayers again. Take care, all of you.

Joydeep said...

My prayers for your family. Hope you stay strong and please don't give up hope yet. Take care.

Regards,
Joydeep

Tanmoy said...

Dear Suvroda

Read your update. Our prayers are with all of you. I would not say anything more.

Regards
Tanmoy